Post radiotherapy fatigue

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Hi, I had breast cancer 4 years ago resulting in simple lumpectomy and 3weeks radiotherapy. I got over all this within 3 months and life returned to normal as I continued with anastrozole daily.

Just recently I have been diagnosed with bone metastases, mainly in my hip/ femur and C6 spine. I have no major organ involvement.

I have commenced Zometa infusion monthly and fortnightly fulvestrant intra muscular injections. I have had two targeted doses of radiotherapy, one lot to hip/ sacral area and one lot to C6 spine

I was warned i would feel tired but i am shocked at how fatigued I actually feel. Has anyone else had experience of this? My first dose of radiotherapy was almost 3weeks ago and 2nd lot almost 2 weeks ago. Every week I think I'll be ok to get back to work but at the moment I'm too exhausted.

Look forward to hearing from anyone with similar experience.

Yvonne

GRANNY59 over 4 years ago

Hi Nanny Apple welcome to the forum.

I imagine that the mixture of medications and the radiotherapy are combining to make you really tired. Radiotherapy does make you feel fatiqued and its a type of tiredness thats hard to describe to anyone its just pure exhaustion. That said hopefully this may pass and things may start to settle down but listen to your body and rest up as you need to, as pushing on through and not resting may do more harm than good if that makes sense.

Do you feel ready for work or can you take a little longer off yet? xxx

Nanny apple over 4 years ago in reply to GRANNY59

Hi Gail,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I feel reassured that what I'm feeling is normal. I've also just referred to the Macmillan booklet ' understanding secondary breast cancer' which also identifies that radiotherapy can make you feel tired.

My work place have been very supportive and continue to be. I work as a practice nurse so not used to being ' on the other side'. However, I don't feel strong enough to go back yet.

Hopefully things will improve in the next couple of weeks.

Regards

Yvonne

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